serious freshwater ich issue please help!

Jan 27, 2008
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#1
I have 4 small, about 2 inches each with their tails, fancy goldfish in a 30 gallon tank that contracted ich due to not quarantining 3 newcomers. Started them on quick cure (malachite green and formulin) 6 days ago, and am still continuing treatment. Doing a 25% vacuum water change every fourth day as package recommends. Dosing daily every 24 hours as package recommends. Water temperature was raised to 78 degrees, My heater would push no higher than 78. There has not been carbon running in the filter. Aquarium lights were kept off. I noticed on day 1 that the water did not seems to stay colored (dyed) for more than an hour, so that evening I removed all the live plants and all the gravel (natural). I assumed they were absorbing the meds. The ich started with just a few spots. On day 3 the fish were spot free. On day 4 there were a few spots again. I continued the meds. Day 5 I decided to cover the tank with towels to keep it very dark. This has made the dye in the water more pronounced and has raised the water temperature to 82 degrees. The fish have more spots today on day 6 than ever before. Reading various sites on the internet, this is supposed to be one of the most effective ich treatments on the market. Can anybody tell me what is happening? A resistant ich stain maybe? Should I change treatments? If so, does anyone know how long it takes to filter malachite green and formulin out of my tank if I replace the carbon in the filter? It has been 6 days and things are getting worse instead of stable or better. I had originally thought of going with a salt treatment, but I have always run small quantities of salt in the tank and was afraid to overdose. I assume most of the salt is gone now after all the partial water changes. Fish are still eating and are active. Ammonia & nitrate levels are 0. Please help. I would really like to save them.
 

Jan 27, 2008
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#3
coppersafe

Hi

I bought some of this. In the instructions is says that I'm supposed to monitor the copper levels with a test kit. Our tap water has a high ph, about 7.6 to 7.8. Did you monitor the copper levels or just use it as it is? Thank you. And I appreciate it that you took the time to answer my thread.
 

d3sc3n7

Superstar Fish
Nov 21, 2007
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www.d3sc3n7.com
#4
Hey, not a problem, thats why were here. I dont have a test kit for copper so, I just dosed the way it says to on the box, and let it ride. My tank is now in great shape, and the ich never reared its ugly little head again! So, just add the proper dose for your tank size...and know in the back of your mind...that those darn ich are dying off daily! No longer able to attack your fish.
 

ishar

MFT Staff
Jul 27, 2007
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#5
For future reference to other users, because coppersafe contains copper (duh :p) this medicine is NOT compatible with invertebrates such as shrimp, crayfish or snails. If you have any of those things you will need to look for a different way to rid yourself of this parasite.
 

#11
Hey man...welcome to MFT! *thumbsups

Next time you're in town stop by the house and I'll give you some more snails. They make great pets... :D
Ummm, no thanks Tom. I've pretty much got that covered for now. But if you'd like I'll gradly donate a few to you when the new tank is up and running. I may even be able to find some Louisiana driftwood (cypress) if you need any of it also.